Amazon Prime customers could start seeing money from a settlement payout as soon as today.
The Federal Trade Commission announced on Thursday, Sept. 17
, that Amazon will "accelerate and expand payments" to eligible consumers under last year's $2.5 billion settlement, which resolved allegations that Amazon enrolled millions of consumers in Prime subscriptions without their consent and knowingly made it difficult for them to cancel.According to the FTC, under the September 2025 settlement, Amazon was required to pay up to $1.5 billion in redress to consumers harmed by the company's deceptive practices in addition to a $1 billion civil penalty. As of September 2026, Amazon has issued more than $845 million in payments to consumers, the FTC said.
In September, the FTC said a federal court approved a joint motion filed by the FTC and Amazon approving measures to accelerate and expand future redress payments to consumers. Under the revised order, more consumers will now qualify for refunds from Amazon and the maximum payment cap has been raised from $51 to $200 total.
Will affected Amazon Prime customers have to file a claim to get the money?
No. All future payments will be distributed automatically, according to the FTC, "eliminating the need for consumers to submit claims or additional paperwork to Amazon."
How will affected Amazon Prime customers get their money?
The payments will be made via electronic payment (Venmo or PayPal) or mailed check without requiring consumers to submit claims, respond to notices or complete any forms.
When will the settlement payments be issued for the affected Amazon Prime members?
The original order required Amazon to pay refunds of up to $51 to consumers who used fewer than 10 Prime benefits during a one-year period. Under the revised order, Amazon will begin issuing automatic payments to millions of additional consumers who used between 11 to 20 Prime benefits in a one-year period.
These consumers were not included in the earlier refund payment phases but now will be eligible for automatic refunds starting Oct. 1, 2026.
How much could affected Amazon Prime customers receive?
If consumer-accepted payments do not reach the required threshold by February 2027, Amazon will provide additional automatic payments to consumers who previously received refunds under the settlement, according to the FTC.
As part of the revised order, consumers who have accepted payments will be eligible to receive an additional $149, for a total of $200. This last round of supplemental payments will start by April 2027 and will also be distributed automatically.
Contributing: Melina Khan and James Powel, USA TODAY
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon to start sending out settlement payments. Are you eligible?
